SFC’s products greatly enhance safety and efficiency and are specified by the world’s biggest oil, gas and petrochemical companies. Its comprehensive range of process safety products reduce the scope for operator error and ensure safe continuous plant operation. Its range of key operated interlocks can also be customised to implement a safe sequence of events in any process activity.

SPE Offshore Europe offers the perfect framework for visitors to meet and discuss their valve operating problems; SFC is offering valuable one-to-one discussions with its experts on all aspects of process safety, valve interlocking and valve management.

Visitors can find SFC at Stand 3D210, which will be managed by Project Sales Manager, Simon Read. SFC will also be joined by representatives from its Aberdeen distribution network, Triton Engineering. Triton is a specialist provider of engineering consultancy services to the upstream oil and gas industry, with its core business being pipelines and risers. The company’s expertise ranges from Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies, including risk-based decision making, through to delivery management, integrity management and ongoing operational support and related site services.

Visitors to the stand can see SFC’s latest innovations:

SmartTrap+, a product which incorporates signals from sensors into the interlocking sequence

To prevent accidents when opening couplings under pressure, Smith Flow Control has introduced Bajolock® patented couplers to its product portfolio.

Bajolock® couplers are ideal for use in a wide range of industries where it is common for pipes and systems to be under pressure when couplings are opened. It is often hard to determine the residual pressure in the system, and using conventional couplings can be dangerous. With Bajolock, pressure is caught and automatically equalised; any potential harmful residue material is discharged away from the operator. Bajolock can then be uncoupled easily and safely with a simple twist. It is interchangeable with existing, similar couplers, enabling seamless integration in plant processes.

Smith Flow Control’s Bajolock coupler is designed for use in transfer systems for pressures up to 10 bar (145 psi). It is ideal for a wide range of applications including oil & gas, petrochemical, shipping, pipe, bulk, medical and the food and beverage industry, in addition to road transportation applications.

The Bajolock coupler is manufactured according to the Pressure Equipment Directive and bears the CE mark. It is constructed from high quality 316L stainless steel and incorporates market-leading gaskets.

Erlanger, Ky. (May 27, 2015) – Smith Flow Control will demonstrate its new TorkDrive valve protector at the Valve World Expo, booth 556. The show takes place from July 15-16 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

TorkDrive is custom engineered to suit a host valve. Mounted to the valve input handwheel or directly to the input shaft, the device uses a series of clutch plates with calibrated compression springs to limit the amount of torque an operator can apply to a valve. During valve operation, if the predetermined maximum torque limit is reached, the TorkDrive will slip, protecting the valve from damage.

Both low and high torque range configurations are available for applications requiring between 80Nm-280Nm, or 250Nm-420Nm. Each unit is factory set before installation and includes a calibrated setting scale within the device, which allows users to adjust torque requirements for their specific application.

Visitors to the company’s booth 556 can also see Smith Flow Control’s full range of mechanical interlocks and drive management technologies, including the EasiDrive portable valve actuator and the FlexiDrive remote valve operator.

Smith Flow Control (SFC), the global market leader in valve interlocking, is delighted to confirm the signing of a new distributor agreement with Econosto BV to provide technical and commercial support locally in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Egypt.

The Econosto Team

Mike Fynes, SFC’s Sales and Marketing Director, comments, “Following our recent sales tour to the Gulf Region we are thrilled to partner with Econosto. The company has vital in-depth knowledge of markets across the Gulf and a vast number of established relationships with EPCs, contractors and end users, which will only help to enhance and support our plans for 2014.”

Econosto has grown from strength to strength in the Middle East since its first pioneering efforts in 1983. The company’s headquarters are in Dubai, which is pivotal to SFC’s growth plans in the UAE, but will also benefit from the exposure of Econosto’s regional offices and partners across most of the Gulf countries.

Econosto’s UAE HQ

Plans are already in place for SFC to undertake regular sales tours in the Middle East, in conjunction with Econosto, showcasing the full range of interlocks and valve management systems, most notably the EasiDrive portable valve actuator, a cost effective alternative to permanent dedicated valve actuators.

Mike adds, “The proposed sales tours will only help to strengthen and further enhance the relationship with Econosto and we are looking forward to seeing the relationship evolve.”

The FlexiDrive II includes a new fully integrated counter mechanism, failsafe even in the most aggressive of environments. The counter mechanism displays valve position (open/closed), providing the operator with a clear indication of valve status.

Smith Flow Control’s FlexiDrive II valve operator can be applied to any handwheel operated valve, including lever operated valves (quarter turns) in oil, gas or petrochemical processing plants to make them constantly accessible and safe, regardless of location.

The FlexiDrive II system allows the user to operate a valve in a place of safety/convenience. It is adaptable to any conventional valve with no modification requirements. A patented, flexible, linear drive cable effectively delivers rotary torque for distances up to 30 metres. The system can be passed through and around walls, bulkheads and floors, and is completely sealed and lubricated for maintenance-free, continuous loop operation.

FlexiDrive II is constructed from corrosion-resistant, 316 Stainless Steel and can be submerged into flooded pits. It is designed to withstand temperatures from -30 to 175 degrees Celsius and is delivered as a complete sealed unit.

TorkDrive can increase valve life as it prevents the operator from applying excessive force when closing the valve, protecting the valve seat. TorkDrive controls the torque applied when operating a valve, ensuring that the same force is used regardless of the strength of the operator.

TorkDrive can be incorporated seamlessly into plant maintenance systems and schedules. TorkDrive is set to a predetermined maximum torque and, if during the operation cycle of the valve, the operating torque increases above the maximum limit, the TorkDrive will slip, indicating an irregular valve condition. This will alert the operator to report the valve status to Site Maintenance, rather than continue to apply force to the valve.

TorkDrive boasts a compact design, weighing less than 4kg, despite an all-mechanical construction. It is a completely maintenance free device, made from 316 Stainless Steel and is suitable for oil refineries, power plants, paper mills, water plants and chemical processing facilities. TorkDrive withstands temperatures from -56°C to +100°C, with a torque setting range from 80Nm – 500Nm. TorkDrive can be installed directly to manually operated valves, requiring torque monitoring over 80Nm (Ball, Gear, Gate & Globe etc). TorkDrive also benefits from IP65 protection, safeguarding the device in the most aggressive of environments.

TorkDrive features unique clutch plates that are controlled by a series of calibrated compression springs. Two spring set configurations are available, a low range TorkDrive unit offering a maximum torque output range between 80Nm – 280Nm and a high range unit offering 250Nm-500Nm. Each unit is factory set before installation and the unit can be adjusted to suit the host equipment’s torque requirements using a calibrated setting scale within the body of the device. Each spring set has a unique colour code, thus ensuring that the correct torque range is always used.

TorkDrive comes complete with a tool for making fine adjustments.

The TorkDrive is supplied with bespoke adaptation to the host valve and its own operating handwheel/lever.

SmartKey+ is an extension of Smith Flow Control’s Key Management Systems. Key cabinets provide a safe and visual way of storing interlock system ‘initiating’ keys. SmartKey+ has been developed to provide all the features of SFC’s Visual Alert Key Cabinet, along with the ability to record movements of keys in real-time, providing complete accuracy.

SmartKey+ uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology which allows a key to be tracked with complete confidence, providing operator and control room personnel with information on interlocked processes and their status. Full transaction history is available, revealing details of key insertion/removal. The unit is designed to support a remote web interface, without any specific licence.

Image: SmartKey+ with a 36 key requirement

SmartKey+ has enhanced levels of system security. All keys are trapped in the cabinet until authorisation is granted; a user is identified by a pin code. SmartKey+ highlights specific key positions that the operator is authorised to use. The user selects the appropriate key from the panel and removes the key as the selected key position is unlocked.

To reinsert a key in the SmartKey+Cabinet, the user scans the key in front of the integrated scanner and the appropriate key position is highlighted on the frontal display for re-insertion.

The SmartKey+ Cabinet is configured around a central control panel capable of running a system with over 500 keys. SmartKey+ is comprised of modular sections, each containing 18 key positions, and can be increased incrementally.

Equipped with two stations and joined by a unique linear drive cable, the Smith Flow Control FlexiDrive tool offers paper and pulp plants a cost-effective remote device to safely control valve operations. The FlexiDrive valve operator is constructed of stainless steel, and holds up well in corrosive, industrial environments.

Typical paper and pulp applications can include inaccessible overhead valves, valves in pits and valves in hazardous zones.

FlexiDrive allows a user to locate a point of operation in a safe and convenient place in the plant. It is adaptable to most valves with no modifications needed. The patented flexible linear drive cable effectively delivers rotary torque for distances up to nearly 100 feet depending on the output torque required. The system can be passed through and around walls, bulkheads and floors, and is completely sealed and permanently lubricated for maintenance-free, continuous loop operation.

To complement its key interlock system, industrial safety company Smith Flow Control (SFC) offers a high quality key management system.

SFC has designed a range of horizontal key cabinets to hold operational keys and ensure safe application under secure supervisory control. Each interlocked system has a dedicated, engraved tag location within the key cabinet to ensure total integrity and all keys are visually displayed inside the cabinet during periods of normal operation.

Once the initial key has been retrieved from the central key cabinet, an operator can begin the sequence of key transfer events that allows dangerous machinery and critical valves to be operated in a safe and pre-determined way, eliminating human error.

To facilitate this, key cabinets should be located in a secure place, typically a control room. Initial keys are typically issued by the Permit Officer. Key cabinets have fully lockable doors to prevent unauthorised access.

Throughout the procedure, the control room has a clear indication of work in progress at any time; a transparent perspex window provides visual key status. A ‘visual alert’ tag is revealed when the key is removed, providing details of the issued key, its designated location and a ‘work in progress’ signal. Smith Flow Control also offers a more advanced version of this key cabinet, which incorporates micro switch actuation to signal key movements.

Key cabinets vary in size, but utilise a new horizontal design which allows greater capacity and storage for up to 280 keys. SFC offers the units in a choice of carbon or stainless steel. For more information, please visit the company website at www.smithflowcontrol.com or call +44 (0)1376 517 901.

Located on stand #8233, Smith Flow Control will demonstrate its headline products at ADIPEC, in addition to its wide range of safety interlocks.

On display will be SFC’s portable valve actuator, EasiDrive. Using EasiDrive, an operator can easily operate multiple valves, avoiding fatigue and injury risk. EasiDrive is especially effective on valves that require many turns, or valves that are difficult to operate due to high torque or challenging climate conditions.

FlexiDrive is SFC’s remote valve operating system that allows users to operate valves from a safe distance of up to 30m. It can be applied to any conventional wheel-operated device to make it constantly accessible and safe.

SFC will also be showcasing its PSV system which ensures maintenance procedures on safety relief systems operate in the defined, safe sequence.

Smith Flow Control is a Halma Company. Halma makes products for hazard detection and life protection and is a market leader in specialist electronic, safety and environmental technologies. Visit the Halma website at www.halma.com